The Commanders: The Leadership Journeys of George Patton, Bernard Montgomery and Erwin Rommel

Born between 1885 and 1891, George Patton, Bernard Montgomery and Erwin Rommel all participated in the First World War and, like millions of others, were so affected by their wartime experiences that it became a fundamental influence on their lives. Yet none of the men were dissuaded by the carnage from seeking military careers when the guns finally fell silent. Each became wholly dedicated to the profession of arms and, being exceptional officers and leaders, they prospered.

Despite the broad similarities between them, there were some marked differences in their approach to leadership due to the individuality bestowed on them from their genes, upbringing, life experience and relationships. The Commanders reveals how these stimuli created three unique personalities which, in turn, each man came to draw from when they became among the most prominent officers in their armies.

Exploring the many and various influences that shaped these three officers as men, as soldiers and, principally, as leaders, Lloyd Clark tracks their progress - through war and peace - all the way up to their final confrontation on the battlefields of the Second World War.

Table of Contents:
1: Early Years and Junior Leaders, 1880s-1914 2: First Combat, 1914-16 3: Hard-Won Experience, 1917-18 4: New Challenges - Leading in Peace, 1919-31 5: Taking Command, 1932-39 6: A New War, 1940-41 7: Three in North Africa, 1942-43 8: Three in North-West Europe, 1944-45 9: George S. Patton, Bernard Montgomery and the Post-War World

About the Author :
Lloyd Clark is Director of Research at the Centre for Army Leadership based at the RoyalMilitary Academy Sandhurst and Professor of Modern War Studies at the University ofBuckingham. He is the author of several books, including Anzio, Arnhem, Kursk and Blitzkrieg.

Review :
Lloyd Clark continues his run of first-class military history with this insightful investigation of the best three generals from each of the major armies on the Western Front in the Second World War. This treble-biography highlights both the interaction of these commanders with each other, and where they stood in the constantly shifting command structure of their own sides. It's intensely readable, well-researched and stuffed full of leadership lessons for the modern day, plus the intense rivalry of Monty and Patton is one of the great stories of the war, and has never been told better. Utterly fascinating. Lloyd Clark demonstrates his deep and wide-ranging knowledge in this compelling new look at three of the most iconic commanders of World War II. With genuinely fresh insights, immense wisdom and thought-provoking analysis, this is a superb account of these three men, divided by different nationalities but with uncanny similarities in ambition, character and motivation. Clark fixes his focus on the intersection of personality and military leadership through the prism of three individualists. Details such as teaching styles, sense of theater and interactions with soldiers create wonderful three-dimensional models of the war's iconic leaders. A fascinating group portrait of three of WWII's most innovative and illustrious generals. . . Brimming with incisive character sketches and strategic analysis, this is a captivating study of leadership in action.' Engaging... Military history buffs and those wanting to learn about leadership and management styles from three important men of the 20th century will likely eagerly consume this tremendous work. A veteran military historian delves into the leadership qualities of three iconic World War II commanders... Astute and entertaining. The Commanders effectively bridges the gap between academic and popular history and will be read with enjoyment. Well-written and solidly researched, it is recommended.